Flints

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  • Last Post 25 May 2024
alco posted this 21 May 2024

I have a question for all you flintlock shooters,  approximately how shots are you averaging with your flints before you have to replace them ??

Thanks all.....

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Aaron posted this 21 May 2024

On my Isaac Haines 50 cal, I can shoot all weekend (40 shots) at a gathering before I have to knap the flint. A leather jaw pad helps keep flints from chipping in the lock too. I replace flints each season or after 3 knaps. Three knaps seems to be the limit before you run out of usable thin space on the edge.

Sawed flints from Germany do not knap. One must replace the flint.

 

With rifle in hand, I confidently go forth into the darkness.

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rhbrink posted this 21 May 2024

I am guessing 40 to 60 shots normally. but some last longer and a few will blow up in a few shots. Those are usually the ones that are fractured, and you can pick them out as they are readily apparent. I will knap a flint to the point where it cannot be held in the jaws, even knew an old fellow that take those short flints and build up the rear of the flint with JB Weld and keep shooting.  

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Boschloper posted this 22 May 2024

I have had them go bad in 5 shots and I have had them last 50. 30 - 40 is the norm. I knap when they get ugly and sometimes just turn them over. I like the JB Weld idea. 

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RicinYakima posted this 22 May 2024

I'm of the "turn them over" school. Most last 20+ shots, turn, knap and turn till I can't hold it any longer. 

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Pigslayer posted this 22 May 2024

30 to 40 I guess. I prefer english gun flints.

If someone else had of done to me what I did to myself . . . I'd have killed him. Humility is an asset. Heh - heh.

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Lucky1 posted this 23 May 2024

My Cochran and Siler locks run 50 to 60 most of the time. Then there's my Bess, bigger rock, bigger lock that more like 40ish. I also have a Belgian elephant gun that pitches out 2.5 oz round balls (they're from a sinker company and marked as such) and the lock uses a flint the size of a saucer (ok, that's a lie) but it is the biggest one I have. Since it almost takes 2 men and small boy to cock it, I'm not sure how long it'll last because I've only shot it 3 times. Needs serious rebedding and inletting. Since there's a severe shortage of elephants here, I've not been in a hurry.

Scott Ingle

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alco posted this 25 May 2024

I took my flintlock to the range yesterday with the intent of shooting about 12 rounds.  It had a new sharp flint and was sparking great.!  The first six rounds were instantaneous .  The 7th nothing , zero sparks.  I recocked, the shot was again instantaneous !

I preliminary cleaned my rifle and left.  I did not feel like fooling with the flint....I'll probably put up my flintlock and concentrate on my percussion rifle.  It fires 98% of the time the first time !!

I love shooting my flintlock, but I can't stand the flint problem...

Happy shooting

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